Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in Santa Cruz

Top 20 licensed programs serving babies and toddlers (ages 0–2), ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

25 infant-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Santa Cruz County

2022 median

$2,065

/ month

infant

$1,411

/ month

toddler

$1,107

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $827/month).

Santa Cruz has 25 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers, combining dedicated Infant Centers with Family Child Care Homes whose CCLD licenses cover infant age groups. California enforces strict staffing ratios for infant care — typically one caregiver per four infants — and this listing ranks the top 20 options by compliance record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

100% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with no Type A (serious) or Type B (minor) citations on file. Each facility page includes the full inspection history, complaint records, and capacity details so you can make an informed decision before touring.

Whether you need care for a 6-month-old or a 20-month-old, the programs below cover the full 0–2 age band. Click any listing to see hours, tuition (when the owner has published it), and the most recent CCLD inspection summary.

Top 20 Infant Daycares in Santa Cruz

Acr Academy

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 22 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Adriana Castillo

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Ashley George

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Eva Lopez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Goldman Lisa

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Griselda Pineda

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Gustavo and Sara Balla

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Happy Days Children's Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 16 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Irene Aguirre

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Irene Bonilla

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Jaime Allen

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Jill Schettler-susskind

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Laura Bare

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Life Spring Community Preschool and Infant Care

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 19 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Mariana Arreola-flores

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Mizaida Guzman

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 20 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Tam Infant Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 12 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Tammy Loree Rinaldi

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,200 – $1,600/mo

Ucsc Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 8 Est. infant tuition: $1,500 – $2,000/mo

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in Santa Cruz

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has 25 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers (ages 0–2). This includes dedicated Infant Centers and Family Child Care Homes whose licenses cover infant care.

What's the difference between an Infant Center and a Family Child Care Home for infant care?

Infant Centers are commercial facilities dedicated to babies and toddlers with lower child-to-staff ratios (typically 1:4 for infants) and infant-trained caregivers. Family Child Care Homes run from the caregiver's private residence with smaller mixed-age groups — often more flexible hours and a home-like feel.

How much does infant care cost in Santa Cruz?

Typical monthly tuition for infant care in Santa Cruz County is about $1,750 at a center and $1,412 at a family child care home (based on 2022 benchmark data). Actual rates vary by facility, schedule, and whether meals are included.

What should I look for when visiting an infant daycare?

Check the caregiver-to-infant ratio (state requires 1:4 or better for infants), look at the nap and feeding setup, ask about diaper changes and feeding schedules, review the facility's inspection history on its detail page, and trust your gut on how caregivers interact with the babies present during your tour.